Goa loses its Mummy

the goan I network

OLD GOA   

Four-time St Cruz MLA Victoria Fernandes popularly known as Mummy died on Saturday morning, after a brief illness, thereby bringing the curtains down on one of the most vociferous woman politician the State has seen due to which she was referred to as the iron lady of Goa. She was 85 years old.   

According to family sources, Mummy breathed her last at around 4.30 am in a city hospital where she was undergoing treatment for the last three days.   

The funeral services have been scheduled for Monday at the Holy Cross Church, Santa Cruz at 4 pm as the family is awaiting the arrival of two of Mummy’s daughters who are currently abroad.   

The body of Fernandes was brought to her residence at Bondir, St Cruz at around 11 am.   

 Among those who visited her residence included South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro, former St Cruz MLA Victor Gonsalves, former Nuvem MLA Aleixo Sequeira, Justice Mahesh Sonak, Congress leader Adv Yatish Naik, Aires Rodrigues, former CCP corporator Makhija Pinto, miner Haresh Melwani, Chimbel sarpanch Chandrakant Kunkolkar, DySP Mahesh Gaonkar and others.  

St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes, who is out of station, informed The Goan that Mummy was more of an activist rather than a politician as she used to always fight for the issues affecting Goans.   

Fernandes also heaped praises on Mummy for remaining undefeated in her political career. “She was not defeated but she retired from politics,” he added.   

Speaking to The Goan, former MLA Victor Gonsalves recalled his association with Mummy during anti-municipality agitation, Konkani agitation, statehood, anti-PDA agitation, etc.   

“She was a member of Goa Legislators Forum and was an active member performing during Legislators Day,” Gonsalves recalled while stating that she will always be remembered as a leader of Goa and Santa Cruz. 

“In her death we have lost a leader who had always been in the forefront for Santa Cruz and Goa. We cherish her memories in future,” Gonsalves informed.   

Mummy was the mother of six daughters and two sons.